Do air and hotel flights get more expensive as you book closet to the date traveling?
Obviously, everyone else has told you that travel gets more expensive as you book closer to the date. (The actual bracket of time I have calculated, is around 3 weeks. As long as you book 3 weeks or more out, you are usually getting the best rate). Prices will always fluctuate depending on availability (the travel industry highly utilizes the law of supply and demand… limited supply, high demand= higher prices). In response to your last minute deals, I usually check out Southwest airlines (I think right now they are offering a $49 one way/ I need to get away special), Airtran, or Jetblue airlines. Keep in mind, sometimes it is cheaper to buy 2 one-way tickets from either the same, or different carriers as opposed to 1 round-trip ticket.